Orphan Train

The Little Sparrows is the first of the Orphan Train Trilogy by AL and Joanna Lacy. We follow a number of orphans from all sorts of circumstances from NYC to San Francisco with many stops along the way, placing children in Christian homes at each stop. It is a fast read, and my first acquaintance with the orphan trains and the authors. I will be reading more.

I gave it a shot but I don't think I will be looking for any more books by these authors.

A lot of times Christian novels are cheesy, but this one I just could not muscle through. At one point, the father says to his daughter something to the effect of, "Where did you learn to be so kind?" and his daughter says in a whisper, "You and mama taught me." That very sentence was when I was through.

The idea's alright for the genre, but I was not impressed by the delivery.

I had never heard of the Orphan Trains so this book has inspired me to do more research on the subject. I loved the book. I loved following along what happened to all the little orphans. It was a very heart-warming story. It reminded me of a Hallmark movie. I plan to finish reading this trilogy.

The Little Sparrows is the first of the Orphan Train Trilogy by AL and Joanna Lacy. It speaks of children who have been orphaned or left on the street; and their lives are changed when they meet new parents on the orphan train. too much Christian preaching or would have enjoyed book more.

Honestly, I read this so long ago that I don't remember anything good or bad from it. Therefore, it gets an "okay" rating ...

Touching, Historical, and steadily paced. Things I love in a good book.

Couldn't stop reading these books, all of the train trilogy books are really good.

Very simple story - for younger readers.

The authors of this series are attentive to some historical details, yet have a larger purpose in writing the novels: to make very clear the way of salvation. The Little Sparrows is a tear jerker. However, the sense of life in Nebraska and Wyoming, the time it might take to ride a horse several miles, drive a buggy from a ranch into a town, even the time it would take for the passenger train to travel from one location to another are poorly conceived. Amenities like a washroom down the hall in an 1880's ranch home are ludicrous. The characters on-the-other-hand are interesting and are where the strength of the novels lie. I cannot really give this book or its companions in the series a strong recommendation, even to young people, because of the misleading elements of time and space.

About the book: Kearney, Cheyenne, Rawlins. Reno, Sacramento, San Francisco. At each train station, a few lucky orphans from the crowded streets of New York City receive the fulfillment of their dreams: a home and family. This "orphan train" is the vision of Charles Loring Brace, founder of the Children's Aid Society, who cannot bear to see innocent children abandoned in the overpopulated cities of the mid-nineteenth-century. Yet it is not just the orphans whose lives need mending — follow the train along and watch God's hand restore love and laughter to the right family at the right time!

Review: People who write reviews for books have opinions either strong or negative. The Little Sparrows written by Al and Joanna Lacy is a very entertaining book. The genre is Historical Fiction, and I find this type of genre very interesting. Placing historical facts in the realm of fictional characters is an interesting way to portray history.

Al and Joanna Lacy have written other works about the Trail of Tears and the Texas War of Independence. Those works were very interesting with the fictional characters intertwined with historical facts. This particular novel represents the orphan trains also interweave a little known aspect of history.

There were many different reasons and situations that children were placed onto the orphan train seeking new homes and lives. One particularly interesting part tells about siblings whose parents supposedly perished in a shipwreck, and the subsequent search for these siblings when they returned to full health.

Throughout this story the authors have woven Christian faiths and beliefs. We learn that the gentleman who originally created the orphan train was himself a Christian. Trust in God plays a major part throughout the book. The message of salvation is repeatedly preached.

Having read other novels by Al and Joanna Lacy, I was slightly disappointed with how predictable several story lines were. Yet, although some of the suspense level was diminished, the amazing historical facts about the orphan trains were enough to keep me turning the pages. (rev. D.Bodley)

DISCLOSURE: A complimentary copy of The Little Sparrows was provided by WaterBrook Multnomah to facilitate our honest review without any obligation for a favorable report. Opinions expressed are solely those of the reviewer.

To me, this series is one of the best Christian fiction books out there. The storys are solid, the christianity is believeable and one grows to loves these kids and thier storys. Sure most of them get a way too neat ending but I don't mind.